Work is an area of life that affects all of us, at an individual and society level. But it's an area that's changing rapidly, perhaps now more than ever, with the advent of new technology, ideas and practices.
Understanding the challenges and opportunities that come with these changes is crucial for the sustainability of work and workers.
The Future of Work research centre, based in our School of Management, conducts interdisciplinary research within this field.
Research themes
We are developing ideas and knowledge, in particular, within the themes of:
- increasing connectivity, digitalisation and the impact on workers as well as jobs
- the growth of flexibility and its implications for workers (for example, the shift from full time to part time, precarious workers and the growing divide between men and women)
- the changing meaning and faces of careers
- experiences in new work platforms and complex projects
- co-evolution and learning experiences in the era of new workspaces
- new models of work and working (such as job sharing, and reduced workload arrangements from non-managerial to managerial employees)
Our approach
Using a variety of research approaches, we adopt a critical lens and integrate new forms of data analysis to explore how the future of jobs will unfold.
Our research, and the findings from our projects, encompasses different parts of the world, including emerging, less developed and developed economies. We also target, and involve, new types of organisations, including digital and collaborative platforms, start-ups and venture capitalists, as well as NGOs, corporations and government bodies.
Our ultimate aim is to critique our own work and create a platform where we can share and develop ideas and research projects for the future.
Current research projects
- Flexible work practices in co-working spaces
- Reflective learning experiences in emerging teams
- Leadership in less developed economies
- Careers in professional service firms
- The experience of modern and dynamic work
- Project organisations and network